Batteries - Experience with Gel?

[Uber Dave]

It appears the original battery on my 2009 R6 has bitten the dust due to a couple of cold winters and is now no longer holding ANY charge at all regardless.

So its time for a new one. I have been looking at various different ones and done some research on Gel batteries. Seems they do better with temperature changes and thus last longer with the cold winters we have in the UK.

Does anyone have any experience of these, and is it worth the money for them?

Thanks.

[Senna(Dan)]

Dave reading on the MV forum they are very highly rated, one of the guys does a full time racing series and says they are better than the lithium batteries.
My F4 is needing a new battery and I will be going for one shortly, lithium is also temperamental in cold weather so gel seems the way to go.

[Snowy]

I've been using Absorbed Glass Mat (gel) batteries for years now. The one on the K bike is over 6 years old and still starts the big beemer first time on the button. I don't keep it on charge all the time either, just top it up every month or so over winter but I'm not convinced even that's necessary as it never requires any significant charge. This ones made by Westco and I bought it at Tanya.co.uk - they have a fitment guide.

Just replaced the nearly 5 year old AGM on the GSA as it was starting to show signs of weakening. Have just replaced that with an Odyssey battery which is a well known AGM gel battery as well.

[og40]

dave after 2 batteries in 2 years i bought one of these motobatt.com and have been very please so far with it as the bike has only had a few outings last year and i only had to take it off once to charge it up when it failed to start the bike after a long period stood unused :o ::)

[Snowy]

Dave, this one's an option:

http://www.tayna.co.uk/WCP12-Westco-Platinum-Motorcycle-Battery-P7808.html

[Uber Dave]

What you guys have said pretty much backs up what I found out elsewhere but it's always good to get opinions frompeople rather than sites selling me stuff, esp when these are more expensive than the alternative.

I have my current one been looked at at work by the battery specialist guys and if I can get a month more out of it then good. I ain't holding my breath though.

Gel it is.

[Jon_W]

I have a Motobatt gel battery in the GS as it tended to chew the old one on (very) cold start.

Brilliant. No problems, no checking acid levels. I'm going to fit one to all the bikes as and when.

[Rabb]

I have a Bosch gel battery - never let me down!
Two winters and no probs.....
I have always rated Bosch batteries - I have one in the car that lasted 12 years!!!!

[BB]

We are running a couple of bikes with gel batteries, no probs whatever [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

BB

[Uber Dave]

The battery bay has reconditioned my old one so will see how it goes. Even if it only lasts another season it's better than nothing. Be a new one I think next year though, time will tell!

Cheers folks.

[Senna(Dan)]

All the joy of being in the Mob eh Dave

[Uber Dave]

All the joy of being in the Mob eh Dave

Still has its advantages sometimes ;-)

[Senna(Dan)]

Mine has been confirmed as completely dead by our Battery bay.

So I think the proper battery is required now.